Santonio Holmes

FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT SANTONIO HOLMES - PAGE 3

The Sports Xchange Maligned Jets QBs hindered by depleted WR group FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- In the wake of more public criticism on the play of New York Jets quarterbacks, coach Rex Ryan must consider a related concern. Two of the Jets' top wide receivers are on the sideline, injured. That certainly is no help in this week's OTAs for veteran quarterback Mark Sanchez, who threw three interceptions Wednesday, or rookie Geno Smith, who was picked twice. Wide receivers Santonio Holmes and Stephen Hill, who are expected to be two of the Jets' top three receivers, have missed workouts, and were out during Wednesday's show, as they continued to recover from the injuries they suffered last year.

When he threw the pass that won the Super Bowl, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger thought he'd just blown the game. Roethlisberger went on the "Late Show with David Letterman" Monday night and told the host his pass to Santonio Holmes with 35 seconds to play Sunday night was his third read, and he thought a defensive back would intercept it. "I was getting ready to start running and then I saw about five guys closing on me. I knew...

He once sold drugs on a street corner. Now he's MVP of a most remarkable Super Bowl. Santonio Holmes, who overcame his gritty childhood in rural south Florida, made a brilliant catch with 35 seconds left to give the Pittsburgh Steelers their record sixth Super Bowl title, a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday night. "I dared the team," Holmes said. "Just give me the ball, give me the chance to make plays and I will do it for you." He was true to his word on the 6-yard winner.

Super Super Bowls are becoming a habit. The Steelers' 27-23 win Sunday night over Arizona was another classic in an era of great games -- "a game for the ages," commissioner Roger Goodell called it. Indeed, with a few exceptions (notably Ravens 34, Giants 7 in 2001) fans have been treated to a decade's worth of rousing NFL championships. Consider that the typical Super Bowl score from 1980-99 was 35-17. But starting in 2000, when Tennessee's Kevin Dyson was tackled a yard short of the goal-line with what would have been the tying touchdown in a 23-16 loss to St. Louis, the games generally have been worthy of their immense hype.

Johnny Knox, meet Eddie Royal. Yeah, it's early, but it's Jay Cutler quarterbacking and it's some midround draft pick making a great defense crazy. Works for me. The rookie had six catches for 70 yards and a touchdown, figuring big in the Bears' two TD drives in their stunning 17-14 victory over the Super Bowl champion Steelers. On the first, he had two catches for 34 yards. On the second, he opened it with a 7-yard reception, then closed it with a leaping, 7-yard catch as he slanted across the goal line and absorbed punishment.

The Sports Xchange Jets' Holmes doesn't regret actions at end of 2011 season Santonio Holmes rejects the idea that he's just another diva wide receiver. His public comments via conference call Monday as the Jets begin offseason workouts might suggest otherwise. Holmes didn't want to talk at the end of the 2011 season, when he was chided by teammates for quitting and selfishness as his relationship with quarterback Mark Sanchez disintegrated on and off the field. Any regrets, Santonio?

In less than two weeks, the New York Jets lost their best defensive player and likely their top offensive playmaker to season-ending injuries. Wide receiver Santonio Holmes has a Lisfranc injury and his left foot could be broken. A determination on his status and the reading of multiple MRI exams by a team of experts was expected to be shared sometime Wednesday. The injury causes pain and swelling of the midfoot resulting from torn ligaments and or broken bones and can require surgery in extreme cases.

Free-agent wide receiver Brandon Lloyd would love to reunite with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels with the New England Patriots. Lloyd, a former Illinois star who also played for the Chicago Bears, had his most prolific season in 2010 and was named to the Pro Bowl. McDaniels was head coach of the Broncos until he was fired the final month of the season. They reunited in October 2011 when McDaniels, offensive coordinator of the Rams, helped push for a trade that brought Lloyd to St. Louis.

Jay Cutler took a moment to greet quarterback counterpart Ben Roethlisberger after the Bears upset the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers 17-14 Sunday. And no, Cutler did not use the opportunity to gloat like he has in the past against Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. "I just told Ben to stay healthy and good luck with everything," Cutler said. "They're going to be fine. They're a good team. They're going to bounce back from this. It's hard to win on the road. That showed tonight."

SportsDirect Inc. Recap: Jets 27, Bills 20 Jets 27, Bills 20: Rookie Geno Smith threw for 331 yards and two long touchdown passes as host New York held off Buffalo in an AFC East matchup. Smith overcame two interceptions by connecting on a 51-yard scoring strike to Stephen Hill and a go-ahead 69-yard TD pass to Santonio Holmes as the Jets (2-1) beat the Bills for the ninth time in 11 matchups. Holmes (154) and Hill (108) eclipsed 100 yards and Bilal Powell had his first career 100-yard day with 149 on 27 carries to lift New York despite a team-record 20 penalties for 168 yards.